Cheesecake Factory Shepherd’s Pie. BEST Copycat Recipe

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Cheesecake Factory Shepherd’s Pie BEST copycat recipe is a delicious comfort food dish. It tastes just like the real thing. But it’s even healthier to make it at home. This is a great potluck dish or one that can be made ahead and frozen to pull out when you need it.

And this easy recipe gets even better when you find out that you don’t even have to peel potatoes to make delicious homemade mashed potatoes to top off this wonderful recipe. If you’ve ever tasted Cheesecake Factory Shepherd’s Pie, you’ll know that they use unpeeled smashed red skin potatoes, ground beef, all the traditional vegetables with addition of zucchini. The people who gather around your table are sure to love it!

Cheesecake Factory Shepherd's Pie. Photo by CookThink.
Cheesecake Factory Shepherd’s Pie. Photo by CookThink.

Equipment

Potato masher or stand mixer
Baking pan
Large soup pot

Shopping List

Ground Beef
Beef Stock
All-purpose flour
Frozen Peas
Carrots
Butter
Salt
Pepper
Heavy Cream
Potatoes
Onion
Garlic
Zucchini

What Is Shepherd’s Pie?

Shepherd’s Pie is a traditional British classic comfort food loved by all. This classic recipe, traditionally made by the British uses ground lamb cooked with vegetables and Guinness for an extra boost of flavor, topped with fluffy mashed potatoes and baked.

For our purposes, the goal is to replicate the Cheesecake Factory’s, an American Restaurant chain, and their version of Shepherd’s Pie. Instead of ground lamb, ground beef is used and the dish is flavored with a thickened beef stock and topped with fluffy mashed potatoes and baked.

How To Reheat Cheesecake Factory Shepherd’s Pie

There are a variety of ways Cheesecake Factory Shepherd’s Pie can be reheated. You can place it in a frying pan with lid, on the stovetop with a few tablespoons of water and reheat over medium low heat. 

Place in the microwave for 2 minutes. Cover with a paper towel to prevent splattering.

If you have a large quantity to reheat, you might consider placing it in the oven to reheat. Preheat the oven to 375F and heat until warmed through, about 15 minutes.

Can You Freeze Cheesecake Factory Shepherd’s Pie?

Yes. Cheesecake Factory Shepherd’s Pie can be frozen. It freezes and reheats well. Simply place any leftovers in a zipped freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to three months.

Can You Make Shepherd’s Pie in Advance?

Yes. You can totally make Cheesecake Factory Shepherd’s Pie in advance. Making it the night before and storing it covered with foil in the refrigerator is a great option. If making it ahead is your plan, I recommend fully assembling the pie as suggested in the step-by-step instructions below but save the baking portion for right before it will be served. This will help the shepherd’s pie to maintain its freshness and will give it a fresh baked element, rather than being presented as a reheated dish.  You will be pleased.

You can also make it ahead and store it in the freezer until you want to use it. It works great for making an extra one while you’re at it and taking to someone who needs a meal, such as a sick person or a family with a new baby. Again, I recommend saving the baking for right before it’s served. Just give them the baking instructions.

Can You Store Shepherd’s Pie?

Yes. Cheesecake Factory Shepherd’s Pie can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Cheesecake Factory Shepherd's Pie. Photo by CookThink.

Where Did Shepherd’s Pie Originate?

Shepherd’s Pie is believed to have originated in the 1850’s in the United Kingdom. In the 1700’s a similar dish was referred to as Cottage Pie. For a while the terms “cottage pie” and “shepherd’s pie” were use synonymously. Some dishes have historically included a mashed potato layer on both the bottom of the dish as well as the top.

Do You Put Cheese on Top of Shepherd’s Pie?

You can, but this recipe doesn’t call for cheese on top. If you want the true, authentic Cheesecake Factory Shepherd’s Pie, then you’ll want to hold the cheese. But if you are a cheese lover and you don’t care about the authentic aspect of this recipe, then go ahead and add the cheese.

What To Serve With Shepherd’s Pie?

Fruit salad
Rice pudding
Biscuits or Corn bread
Side Salad
Homemade apple sauce

Can This Recipe Be Made Gluten Free?

Yes. The only thing that will need to be substituted is the all-purpose flour for thickening the broth. You can use cornstarch in place of the flour and the results will be the same. You won’t even be able to notice a difference in flavor. So, if you or someone you know eats a gluten free diet, this recipe is perfect with that minor change.

Cheesecake Factory Shepherd's Pie. Photo by CookThink.

How To Make Easy Cheesecake Factory Shepherd’s Pie?

Cheesecake Factory Shepherd’s Pie is a recipe that can be prepared in 30 minutes. It is a delicious comfort food recipe that is sure to be enjoyed by the people who gather around your table. This one is a keeper and you’ll probably want to print or bookmark this recipe to be used again.

Ingredients

2 lbs Ground Beef, browned
1 ½ cups Beef Stock
½ cup All-purpose flour
1 bag Frozen Peas
4 large Carrots, diced
1 Zucchini, diced
½ cup Butter, divided
Salt
Pepper
¼ cup Heavy Cream
1 lb Red Skinned Potatoes
1 Onion, diced
3 cloves Garlic, minced

Step by Step Instructions

1. Place of pot of water on the stove over high heat to boil the potatoes. Wash and chop potatoes into cubes and place them in the boiling water. Cook until tender, about 10-15 minutes. Drain.

2. Meanwhile, peel the carrots and wash them so that they can be diced. Dice the onion and zucchini and add to the carrots. Cook in a pan on the stove top with butter over medium heat until tender about 5-8 minutes. I like to cook in a cast iron pan for this dish so that it can be placed directly in the oven.

3. Add the minced garlic and beef to the carrot and onion mixture. Cook until the beef is fully browned. Drain any grease. 

4. Add 1 ½ cups beef stock, and sprinkle with ½ cups all-purpose flour. Stir regularly over medium heat until mixture begins to thicken.

5. Add frozen peas. Finish the potatoes by mashing them with salt and pepper to taste as well as ¼ cup heavy cream and 4 tbsp butter.

6. Spread the potatoes over the top of the meat and vegetables. Top with butter to brown the potatoes. Bake at 375F for 30 minutes until heated through and the potatoes begin to brown.

Serve hot and enjoy!

Cheesecake Factory Shepherd's Pie. Photo by CookThink.


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This is a recipe I came up with to replicate the real thing.

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Author
Sarah
Sarah is known for her extra fancy yeast breads, melt in your mouth pies, and everything salads. She has won awards as a home cook, and is passionate about helping others feel smarter in the kitchen. Sarah is the cooking genius of the sister duo.

6 thoughts on “Cheesecake Factory Shepherd’s Pie. BEST Copycat Recipe”

  1. 5 stars
    I should take the time to leave reviews more often since I rely on them but this was surprisingly delicious enough for me to take the time to leave one! I’ve made it a few times and it’s become one of my go to recipes when we have company.

    Reply
  2. Not nearly enough mashed potatoes with just one pound. Ended up with a thin layer and huge gap around the edge. It does seem like it will be delicious though

    Reply

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